29 September 2004

Everyone a winner with Medicare Gold

The Australian Nursing Federation today said the Medicare Gold policy launched by the ALP would benefit all Australians.

'Those over 75 are winners with hospital beds available for those who need them, relieving pressure on waiting lists,' ANF Federal Secretary Jill Iliffe said.

'People with private health insurance stand to benefit by downward pressure on premiums; and it will also put an end to cost shifting between the states and the federal government.

'It is very appropriate that people aged 75 years and over no longer need to purchase private health insurance and that they can depend on government to look after them.

'It is also good to see a focus on public and private systems working together instead of being seen as in competition with one another.

'Nurses have been saying for several years that many of the problems in hospitals are caused by not enough aged care beds for those who need them, thereby blocking beds in acute hospitals.

'This in turn means there are not enough beds for those with acute illnesses or waiting for elective surgery - thereby increasing hospital waiting lists.

'This policy is a great solution to many of the problems facing public hospitals - and the funding of our health system overall.'

Media inquiries:
Jill Iliffe, ANF Federal Secretary 0419 576 590
Ged Cowin, ANF Assistant Federal Secretary 0417 053 322
Heather Witham, ANF Federal Communications Officer 0417 359 907

The ANF, representing 140,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses in Australia.